|
|
| Line 30: |
Line 30: |
| | </div> | | </div> |
| | <div id="ethics"> | | <div id="ethics"> |
| - | <h1>SyntheticBiology ethics</h1> | + | <p align="center"> |
| | + | <strong>Synthetic Biology ethics</strong> |
| | + | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| | | | |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Syntheticbiology, a novel advancement in science field, is a popular study inrecent years. Itopens door for the scientists to innovate their ideas and put them into practice.However, some people are concerned about the ethical issues of it, namelybiosafety, environmental damages, biosecurity and intellectual property right.In the following discussion,light will be shed on these aspects and solutions. | + | Synthetic biology, a novel advancement in science field, isa popular study these days. It opens the door for scientists to create theirideas and put them into practice. However, some people are concerned about theethical issues of it, namely biosafety, environmental damages, biosecurity andintellectual property rights. In the followings, light will be shed on theseaspects and solutions. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 41: |
Line 43: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Withrespect to the biosafety issue, it may be difficult to identify agents ofconcern. It is because synthetic biology involves the creation of lots of novelorganisms in which it is challenging to classify them with regard to <a name="OLE_LINK1">pathogeny</a>. The reasons for this are because of the lack ofprior experience, difficulties in identifying sequences with pathogenicproperties as well as the unsuitability of methods or practice used. | + | With respect to the biosafety issue, it may be difficult toidentify agents of concern. It is because synthetic biology involves thecreation of lots of novel organisms in which it is challenging to classify themwith regards to pathogeny. This is because of the lack of prior experience,difficulties in identifying sequences with pathogenic properties as well as theunsuitable use of methods or practice. <sup>1</sup> |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 47: |
Line 49: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Otherthan that, the leakage of “bio-product” may threaten our health and nature.Upon the creation of biological organisms without in-depth understanding, itbrings loads of uncertainties in terms of the control means and pathogenicpossibility. Once they are leaked, it may result from undesirable crossbreedingamong products themselves, or worse with other natural organisms whichseriously wreak havoc on the human health or even nature. One scenario is likethat infectious disease may be transmitted from laboratory workers to theirfamily members, and to the whole community through incontrollable airbornetransmission. There have been such documented cases of virus leakage fromlaboratories. For example, the leakage of smallpox poxvirus in Birmingham laboratoryin United Kingdom in 1978, SARS virus in Singapore and in China in 2003 and2004 respectively, which controversially draw people’s attentions on thebiosafety of synthetic biology. | + | Other than that, the leakage of “bio-product” may threatenour health and nature. Upon the creation of new organisms without in-depthunderstanding, it brings loads of uncertainties in terms of the control means andpathogenic possibility. Once they are leaked, it may result from theundesirable crossbreeding among products themselves, or worse with othernatural organisms which seriously wreak havoc on the human health or evennature. One scenario is like that, infectious disease may be transmitted fromlaboratory workers to their family members, and to the whole community through uncontrollableairborne transmission.<sup>2</sup>There have been such documented cases of virus leakage from laboratories. Forexample, the leakage of smallpox poxvirus in Birmingham laboratory in UnitedKingdom in 1978,<sup> 3</sup>SARS virus in Singapore and in China in 2003 and 2004 respectively<sup>1</sup>, which controversially drawpeople’s attention on the biosafety of synthetic biology. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 53: |
Line 55: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Otherthan biosafety problem, environmental damages are also one of the concerns. Withthe requirement of the resources for developing biomass of synthetic biology,it would be exploiting our ecosystems like lands and other natural resources.For example, large pieces of land were used to the bio-fuel development due toland limitation, which puts intense pressures on land that potentially affectthe food yield, communities and the current ecosystem. | + | Other than biosafety problems, environmental damage is alsoone of the concerns. With the requirement of the resources for developingbiomass of synthetic biology, it would be exploiting our ecosystem like landsand other natural resources. For example, large pieces of land were used to thebio-fuel development due to land limitation, which puts intense pressure onland that potentially affect the food yield, communities and the currentecosystem.<sup>2</sup> |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 59: |
Line 61: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Biosecurityis also one of the concerns of the synthetic biology. Given an understandingthat some products are easily synthesized and lethal, it leads to the easyacquisition of the virulent strains for bioterrorism as weapon for detrimentalpurpose. For example in 2002, poliovirus was easily synthesized with anestimated cost USD 7500 in laboratory setting in universities. | + | Biosecurity is also one of the concerns of the synthetic biology.Given an understanding that some products are easily synthesized and lethal, itleads to the easy acquisition of the virulent strains for bioterrorism asweapons for detrimental purposes. For example in 2002, poliovirus was easilysynthesized with an estimated cost of USD 7500 in laboratory setting inuniversities.<sup>1</sup> |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 65: |
Line 67: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Asidesfrom that, intellectual property right is also one of the problems. It isbecause synthetic biology involves originalities with a number of new productsand techniques invented. This may lead to the copyright problem and dilemmabetween openness of resources and patent. | + | Asides from that, intellectual property rights is also oneof the problems. It is because synthetic biology involves originalities with anumber of new products and techniques invented. This may lead to the copyrightproblem and dilemma between openness of resources and patent. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 71: |
Line 73: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Regulationsand policy can help solving these problems. By regulating DNA synthesis throughencouraging the companies which synthesize genes to report the questionable DNAorders, this is effective in regulating the ethical issues and currently inpractice in United Stats and France. Other than that, building an up-to-datedatabase that shows the sequences of genes and experiments which are at riskcan also get the root of the problems. | + | Regulations and policies can help solving these problems. Byregulating DNA synthesis through encouraging the companies which synthesizegenes to report the questionable DNA orders, this is effective in regulatingthe ethical issues and is currently in practice in United States and France. Other than that,building an up-to-date database that shows the sequences of genes andexperiments which are at risk can also get to the root of the problems.<sup>1</sup> |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 77: |
Line 79: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | To dealwith the issue of intellectual property right, improving the intellectualproperty system to a sound and effective system is an integral part such thatthe design rights are protected and the “openness sources” of synthetic biologycan be attained at the same time. | + | To deal with the issue of intellectual property rights,improving the intellectual property system to a sound and effective system isan integral part such that the design rights are protected and the “openness ofresources” of synthetic biology can be attained at the same time. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 83: |
Line 85: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Enhancingthe international cooperation in regulating and governing synthetic biology isan effective way to cope with biosafety and biosecurity problems. Differentcountries can exchange the sources and data, and communicate to establishmeasures to wrestle with the existing concerns due to synthetic biologyregardless of the difficulties. For example, human genome project paves thepath for the success of countries collaboration in solving problems. | + | Enhancing the international cooperation in regulating andgoverning synthetic biology is an effective way to cope with biosafety andbiosecurity problems. Different countries can exchange their resources anddata, communicate to establish measures to wrestle with the existing concernsdue to synthetic biology regardless of the difficulties. For example, humangenome project paves the path for the success of countries collaboration insolving problems.<sup>1</sup> |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 89: |
Line 91: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | In thesocial aspects, a lot of steps can be taken to deal with the synthetic biologyissue. First, creating platforms for the public to discuss about it is anefficient way to collect different opinions from people from all disciplines of life. Since the technology ofsynthetic biology is closely related to the life of the public so that thepublic should have the right and obligation to engage in decision-makingprocess. Not only does it help collect more diverse ideas, it can also allowthe public to know more about the safety and security problems with regard to syntheticbiology. | + | In the social aspects, a lot of steps can be taken to dealwith the synthetic biology issue. First, creating platforms for the public todiscuss about it is an efficient way to collect different opinions from peoplefrom all walks of life. Since the technology of synthetic biology is closelyrelated to the life of the public, they should have the right and obligation toengage in decision-making process. Not only does it help to collect morediverse ideas, it can also allow the public to know more about the safety andsecurity problems with regards to synthetic biology. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 95: |
Line 97: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Anothersocial aspect that we can take action is through education. Taking iGEMcompetition as an example, it provides opportunities for undergraduate and highschool students to learn and practice synthetic biology in a risk-free environment. Other thancompetition, some universities do provide courses regarding to biosafety andbiosecurity by holding seminars and conferences. | + | Another social aspect that we can take action is througheducation. Taking iGEM competition as an example, it provides opportunities forundergraduate and high school students to learn and practice synthetic biologyin a free-risk environment. Other than competition, some universities doprovide courses regarding to biosafety and biosecurity<sup>1</sup>. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 101: |
Line 103: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | Althoughsynthetic biology brings a lot of benefits to our society and the world, italso has some potentially ethical problems that we need to focus. As a result,it is a part andparcel for us to delve into,in order to carve out a better future with the development of the syntheticbiology. | + | Although synthetic biology brings a lot of benefits to oursociety and the world, it also has some potential ethical problems that we needto focus on. As a result, it is part and parcel which we have to delve into itin order to carve out a better future with the development of the syntheticbiology. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | | + | |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| Line 110: |
Line 112: |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | 1. OECD, Royal Society (2010), “Symposium onOpportunities and Challenges in the Emerging Field of Synthetic Biology –Synthesis Report”. | + | 1. OECD,Royal Society (2010), “Symposium on Opportunities and Challenges in theEmerging Field of Synthetic Biology – Synthesis Report”. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | 2. Presidential Committee for the Study ofBioethical Issues: New directions: the ethics of synthetic biology and emergingtechnologies. 2010 [http://<a href="http://www.bioethics.gov/news/">www.bioethics.gov/news/</a>]. | + | 2. PresidentialCommittee for the Study of Bioethical Issues: New directions: the ethics ofsynthetic biology and emerging technologies. 2010 [http://<a href="http://www.bioethics.gov/news/">www.bioethics.gov/news/</a>]. |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| - | 3. http://www.bmj.com/content/325/7377/1371/reply | + | 3. http://www.bmj.com/content/325/7377/1371/reply |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | <p> | | <p> |
| | | | |
| | </p> | | </p> |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| | </div> | | </div> |
Synthetic Biology ethics
Synthetic biology, a novel advancement in science field, isa popular study these days. It opens the door for scientists to create theirideas and put them into practice. However, some people are concerned about theethical issues of it, namely biosafety, environmental damages, biosecurity andintellectual property rights. In the followings, light will be shed on theseaspects and solutions.
With respect to the biosafety issue, it may be difficult toidentify agents of concern. It is because synthetic biology involves thecreation of lots of novel organisms in which it is challenging to classify themwith regards to pathogeny. This is because of the lack of prior experience,difficulties in identifying sequences with pathogenic properties as well as theunsuitable use of methods or practice. 1
Other than that, the leakage of “bio-product” may threatenour health and nature. Upon the creation of new organisms without in-depthunderstanding, it brings loads of uncertainties in terms of the control means andpathogenic possibility. Once they are leaked, it may result from theundesirable crossbreeding among products themselves, or worse with othernatural organisms which seriously wreak havoc on the human health or evennature. One scenario is like that, infectious disease may be transmitted fromlaboratory workers to their family members, and to the whole community through uncontrollableairborne transmission.2There have been such documented cases of virus leakage from laboratories. Forexample, the leakage of smallpox poxvirus in Birmingham laboratory in UnitedKingdom in 1978, 3SARS virus in Singapore and in China in 2003 and 2004 respectively1, which controversially drawpeople’s attention on the biosafety of synthetic biology.
Other than biosafety problems, environmental damage is alsoone of the concerns. With the requirement of the resources for developingbiomass of synthetic biology, it would be exploiting our ecosystem like landsand other natural resources. For example, large pieces of land were used to thebio-fuel development due to land limitation, which puts intense pressure onland that potentially affect the food yield, communities and the currentecosystem.2
Biosecurity is also one of the concerns of the synthetic biology.Given an understanding that some products are easily synthesized and lethal, itleads to the easy acquisition of the virulent strains for bioterrorism asweapons for detrimental purposes. For example in 2002, poliovirus was easilysynthesized with an estimated cost of USD 7500 in laboratory setting inuniversities.1
Asides from that, intellectual property rights is also oneof the problems. It is because synthetic biology involves originalities with anumber of new products and techniques invented. This may lead to the copyrightproblem and dilemma between openness of resources and patent.
Regulations and policies can help solving these problems. Byregulating DNA synthesis through encouraging the companies which synthesizegenes to report the questionable DNA orders, this is effective in regulatingthe ethical issues and is currently in practice in United States and France. Other than that,building an up-to-date database that shows the sequences of genes andexperiments which are at risk can also get to the root of the problems.1
To deal with the issue of intellectual property rights,improving the intellectual property system to a sound and effective system isan integral part such that the design rights are protected and the “openness ofresources” of synthetic biology can be attained at the same time.
Enhancing the international cooperation in regulating andgoverning synthetic biology is an effective way to cope with biosafety andbiosecurity problems. Different countries can exchange their resources anddata, communicate to establish measures to wrestle with the existing concernsdue to synthetic biology regardless of the difficulties. For example, humangenome project paves the path for the success of countries collaboration insolving problems.1
In the social aspects, a lot of steps can be taken to dealwith the synthetic biology issue. First, creating platforms for the public todiscuss about it is an efficient way to collect different opinions from peoplefrom all walks of life. Since the technology of synthetic biology is closelyrelated to the life of the public, they should have the right and obligation toengage in decision-making process. Not only does it help to collect morediverse ideas, it can also allow the public to know more about the safety andsecurity problems with regards to synthetic biology.
Another social aspect that we can take action is througheducation. Taking iGEM competition as an example, it provides opportunities forundergraduate and high school students to learn and practice synthetic biologyin a free-risk environment. Other than competition, some universities doprovide courses regarding to biosafety and biosecurity1.
Although synthetic biology brings a lot of benefits to oursociety and the world, it also has some potential ethical problems that we needto focus on. As a result, it is part and parcel which we have to delve into itin order to carve out a better future with the development of the syntheticbiology.
References:
1. OECD,Royal Society (2010), “Symposium on Opportunities and Challenges in theEmerging Field of Synthetic Biology – Synthesis Report”.
2. PresidentialCommittee for the Study of Bioethical Issues: New directions: the ethics ofsynthetic biology and emerging technologies. 2010 [http://www.bioethics.gov/news/].
3. http://www.bmj.com/content/325/7377/1371/reply
"
